Environmental Management

With a sub-tropical climate, St Helena’s environment is one of fascinating flora and fauna, and many species endemic to the Island. Its natural landscape of lush green peaks and breathtaking rock formations to grassy plains and sub-tropical valleys.

Three sections work within the Environmental Management Division, namely:

Changing dramatically from one area to another, it is a photographer’s haven. St Helena Government is committed to conserving this environment and in 2012 created an Environmental Management Directorate which was restructured in 2019 to a Division within a larger Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Directorate (EMD). The EMD focuses on policy and legislation, communication and stakeholder engagement, evidence-based advice, assessment, monitoring, evaluation and enforcement. Its focus is to mainstream environment and climate change within St Helena Government and to eventually achieve world class environmental protection.

As part of this process, some applications for development are subject to Environmental Impact Assessments as per the Land Planning and Development Control Ordinance. In addition, other Government, non-Government and voluntary organisations are involved in taking forward a number of projects which have/are being financially supported by the Overseas Territories Environment Programme [funded jointly by the Department for International Development (DFID) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)].

National Environmental Management Plan has been developed to St Helena’s goals involving management of the environment. This will be delivered through a set of high level environmental objectives and targets for St Helena, and the creation and implementation of systems and processes for ensuring that these environmental objectives are fully considered in legislation, policy, planning and decision-making.

Contact

For information on Environmental Protection on St Helena and the Environmental Protection Ordinance (EPO), please contact:

Isabel Peters – Chief Environmental Officer
EMD, Scotland,
Phone: (+290) 24724
E-mail: Isabel.peters@sainthelena.gov.sh

To find out about Environmental Management and Conservation Works on Ascension Island, visit their website.